dignity hardly to be expected in

  "And he would deny having received anything from your father."   "Mother," said Luke, sternly and deliberately, "I feel sure that I shall some day meet this man face to face, and if I do it will go hard if I don't force him to give up this money which he has falsely converted to his own use."   The boy spoke with calm and resolute dignity hardly to be expected in one so young, and with a deep conviction that surprised his mother.   "Luke," she said, "I hardly know you to-night. You don't seem like a boy. You speak like a man."   "I feel so. It is the thought of this man triumphant in his crime, that makes me feel older than I am. Now, mother, I feel that I have a purpose in life. It is to find this man, and punish him for what he has done, unless he will make reparation."   Mrs. Walton shook her head. It was not from her that Luke had inherited his independent spirit. She was a fond mother, of great amiability, but of a timid shrinking disposition, which led her to deprecate any aggressive steps.   "Promise me not to get yourself into any trouble, Luke," she said, "even if you do meet this man."   "I can't promise that, mother, for I may not be able to help it. Besides, I haven't met him yet, and it isn't necessary to cross a bridge till you get to it. Now let us talk of something else."   "How much did you make to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie, his young brother, seven years old.